Sports Orthotics
Understanding the Athletic Insoles: Empowering the Athlete's Foot
984: Pioneering the modern athletic insole
These fundamental questions have driven me since I first began crafting athletic insoles in 1984. Back then, my goal was clear: to provide athletes with support specifically tailored to the biomechanics of their sport. I designed my insoles to act as a natural “guide rail”—supporting and directing the foot seamlessly through every phase of the strike.
At the time, the industry standard was far from ideal. Most insoles were made from cork, leather, or rigid plastics. They were essentially ¾-length everyday arch supports, completely ill-suited for the dynamic demands of athletic movement or the specific fit of sports shoes.
The thermoforming revolution
The process of manufacturing custom insoles by laminating thermoformable materials was just in its infancy. This breakthrough changed everything. It allowed me to custom-design insoles based on specific biomechanical needs, various medical conditions, and above all, the unique fit of different athletic shoes (running, tennis, cycling, soccer). We suddenly had an unlimited playground of materials: thermoformable resins, dynamic sheets of PE and EVA, and innovative cushioning.
Bridging the gap
In the 80s, athletic shoes were nowhere near as sophisticated as they are today. Brands relied on stiff, proprietary lasts and early cushioning tech (like Nike’s “Air” or Asics’ “Gel”). Athletes often just had to endure the stiffness and constraints of their footwear. My custom insoles changed that, finally bridging the gap between the athlete’s foot and the shoe.
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The Anatomy of performance: biomechanics first
From day one, my mission has been rooted in pure biomechanics. A true athletic insole isn’t just an insert; it is a sophisticated combination of materials engineered to provide support exactly where needed, guide natural movement without restriction, and work in perfect synergy with the shoe. This requires a masterful balance of three core principles: the roll-off arch, the guidance rail, and the pressure-relief zone.
The Evolution of the modern running shoe
Footwear engineering has undergone a massive transformation. Thanks to advanced biomechanical research and innovative manufacturing, brands can now target specific foot types and strides with incredible precision. Modern, high-performance materials ensure that comfort, support, cushioning, and stability endure throughout the entire lifespan of the shoe.
The 60/40 rule: The synergy of shoe and insole
Selecting the right footwear is a critical factor in athletic longevity and performance. It demands the eye of a specialist—someone who analyzes your unique foot structure and the wear patterns of your old shoes to navigate the vast matrix of models (pronation, supination, neutral, or forefoot striking). The right shoe provides the essential foundation: cushioning, guidance, and the forefoot flexibility needed for a truly propulsive stride.
My golden rule: Always secure the right pair of shoes before investing in custom insoles.
The correct shoe accounts for 60% of your foot’s overall performance and alignment, while the custom insole provides the final, crucial 40%
Ski insoles by TOTAL FEET
All insoles are entirely designed and crafted from sheet material based on your anthropometric measurements, the inner volume inside your ski boot, and the desired performance while skiing—whether for downhill skiing, ski touring, freerando, or competition.
At TOTAL FEET, there are no off the shelf-ready to use products: Everything is custom-made. before your eyes
Each insole has a specific function:
Comfort – Technical – High performance
They are passive: transferring weight to the skis – distributing foot pressure along the entire length of the insole – a comfortable, non-restrictive arch support
They are active: corrective elements designed to address imbalances based on the results of a podiatric assessment.
Total Feet winter ski insoles
It’s a mirror image of your feet: the goal is to distribute foot pressure evenly across the entire insole. It provides gentle yet effective arch support. The insole is barely noticeable inside the shoe, while still offering you comfort and precision.
Thermo ski
Custom COMFORT Ski Insole : €275.00
An insole engineered for maximum cushioning and thermal protection, crafted by laminating multiple layers of premium PE foam.
Key features:
Maximum insulation: Made from thermoformable PE foam, providing an exceptional barrier against the cold.
Multi-layer architecture: A technical assembly of 3 to 4 foam layers tailored for optimal comfort.
Targeted densities: Utilizes varying densities (from 125 to 200 kg/m³) engineered to meet your specific biomechanical needs.
The goal: To deliver exceptional shock absorption and a plush, cushioned feel while maintaining flawless foot support.
performance ski
Custom PERFORMANCE ski insole : €250.00
Engineered for elite power transmission, this high-performance insole features advanced medical-grade materials developed by ORFIT INDUSTRIES—the global leader in thermoplastics for medical rehabilitation (hand orthotics, corsets). Mark Festor and ORFIT INDUSTRIES have maintained a close technical partnership since the early 2000s to bring this technology to the snowsports industry.
Key Technical Features:
Ultra-Thin ORFIT Core: A 1.6 mm thick thermoplastic base that delivers an ultra-precise, high-definition mold. Heated in a dedicated water bath, it retains 100% of its mechanical properties during the molding process.
Transflux Heel Support: Available in 1 or 1.5 mm thickness to provide rock-solid support for the base of the heel (calcaneus).
The SPYDEWEB Reinforcement: A signature TOTAL FEET innovation. This exclusive insert maximizes energy and force transmission along the foot’s longitudinal axis without sacrificing crucial torsional flexibility. Someone had to think of it!
High-End Stabilization: A heel counter crafted from firm PE foam (200 kg/m³) molded precisely to your foot shape for flawless stability inside the liner.
Premium Comfort Cover: Finished with a 2 mm thick, micro-perforated PE foam lining (125 kg/m³) ensuring optimal thermal insulation and comfort.
High performance-Race
Custom racing-high performance ski insole : €325.00
This is the ultimate racing insole for lightning-fast force transmission! This latest version represents the culmination of 10 years of continuous refinement—a flagship project that TOTAL FEET is constantly researching, testing, and perfecting. Engineered specifically for enthusiasts and competitors seeking absolute precision and raw performance.
This ultra-thin resin insole is designed to closely match the contours of the boot shell, ensuring optimal, zero-loss energy transfer. The integrated carbon reinforcement provides the exact rigidity needed to amplify the intensity of your input, resulting in unmatched speed of execution and surgical efficiency during push-off. Your arch has never received so much positive, immediate feedback while carving a turn. Expect entirely new sensations, right at your feet.
Technical specifications & construction:
Orfit Base: Advanced thermoplastic foundation for a high-definition, responsive fit.
Transflux heel support: Available in 1 or 1.5 mm thickness to provide rock-solid support for the base of the heel (calcaneus).
The SPYDERWEB reinforcement: An exclusive structural layout designed to strengthen support and force transmission along the foot’s longitudinal axis.
High-end stabilization: A heel unit crafted from firm, high-density PE foam (200 kg/m³) molded precisely to your foot shape.
Premium lining: Finished with a 2 mm thick, micro-perforated PE foam cover (125 kg/m³) for comfort and thermal protection.
Elite craftsmanship: Fully assembled and thermoformed utilizing state-of-the-art SIDAS PODIATECH lab equipment.
Cyclisme
Cycling
“Do you struggle with an uneven pedal stroke, knee tension, or power loss? Is your heel unstable, or are your cleats misaligned?
These frustrations are often rooted in a single critical factor: your foot’s interface with the pedal.
TOTAL FEET has developed a comprehensive optimization program designed to refine your biomechanics, enhance power transfer, and maximize your comfort on the bike.”
Insole specifications
They are entirely custom-made using traditional craftsmanship to ensure they do not interfere with the foot’s natural movement during activity.
Phase 1: The various materials are assembled using thermoforming, molded directly onto your foot while bearing weight.
Phase 2: Progressive adjustment of the forefoot and rearfoot support areas according to a pedaling protocol until a fluid, smooth motion is achieved, with balanced pelvic engagement on the saddle.
Performance
Designed based on foot shape and volume to deliver the most efficient performance
Price: €275.00 Includes cleat adjustment and shoes
High performance
The combination of different materials creates a high-performance sole with a completely redesigned arch support for even more efficient power transfer to the pedal. A carbon resin plate is integrated beneath the sole to enhance the foot’s power transfer efficiency during the pedaling cycle.
Price: €350.00
Cleat adjustment included
your cycling shoes
Cycling shoe customization & modification
Your footwear can be fully adapted to the unique shape of your foot morphology. TOTAL FEET has the industrial tools and specific machinery required for all shoe shell modification operations:
Forefoot Customization: Gains extra space in pressure zones and metatarsal widths.
Heel Adjustment: Shell reshaping for optimal heel seating and retention.
custom insoles & cycling optimization (Road & MTB)
Optimize every single pedal stroke thanks to a comprehensive biomechanical assessment:
Laser cleat alignment: Ultra-precise adjustment of your cleats based on your morphological criteria and mechanical axes.
Pedaling Analysis: Monitoring and optimization of your pedaling cycle using a medical-grade accelerometer to precisely measure stroke fluidity.
Legal performance: A surprising result that delivers a decrease in heart rate and a direct increase in wattage. No doping, just pure biomechanics!
Cycling saddles
Good ergonomics are essential.
SQ LAB was the first bicycle equipment manufacturer to develop a saddle width measurement system, which measures the sit bones and calculates the optimal saddle width.
A saddle must be tailored to each individual. If a saddle is too narrow, it causes pressure—exactly where it shouldn’t. In 2002, we were the first saddle manufacturer to develop a system for measuring the distance between the sit bones and calculating the optimal saddle width.
All SQ LAB saddle models are available in four different widths. This ensures that the sit bones rest entirely on the saddle. Only in this way can the sensitive perineal area in men and the generally lower pubic arch in women be relieved.
Running & trail insoles by TOTAL FEET
Walking, running, climbing, cycling, and swimming are simple movements for all of us—easy for our entire body to perform.
Our lower limbs—that is, our legs and feet—allow us to move regardless of the surface or the intensity required to perform these various movements.
When running, we perform a cyclical motion, taking between 500 and 1,250 strides per kilometer, which works out to 50–80 strides per minute.
During the heel strike phase, the impacted area is subjected to a force equivalent to 3 to 5 times our body weight for a very short period of time (milliseconds). When running downhill, this force increases to 7–10 times our body weight.
Grab a calculator and start entering your parameters: you’ll be surprised by the functional and mechanical workings of the foot and the running shoe
Custom orthotics for athletes. They play an essential role and must be designed to optimize athletic performance while accommodating the foot’s anatomical structure. This video walks you through all the different steps.
It’s by appointment and lasts 1 hour and 30 minutes
Custom orthotics for athletes. They play an essential role and must be designed to optimize athletic performance while accommodating the foot’s anatomical structure. This video walks you through all the different steps.
It’s by appointment and lasts 2 hours, but you’ll leave with your orthotics already in your shoes, ready to run—pain-free.
conventionnal orthotics
Standard orthotics by total feet
Orthotic Insoles for Your Everyday Life
You don’t have to be an athlete to take care of your feet.
Mark FESTOR also creates custom-made insoles for your everyday life. Thanks to his expertise, in-depth analysis, and state-of-the-art manufacturing process, he helps you rediscover the joy of walking without discomfort.
Many patients have already regained smooth, effortless mobility in their daily lives.
Our unique concept: walk out with your insoles right away
Each appointment for orthopedic insoles lasts 2 hours. This time allows for a complete analysis and immediate production: you’ll walk out the same day with your insoles on your feet, slipped right into your shoes.
Our Prices and Services
- Classic Insoles: €300.00 per pair (2-hour appointment)
- Postural Insoles: €350.00 per pair (A 2.5-hour appointment is required for this specific analysis)
Coverage and Reimbursements
Please note: The Total Feet practice is not contracted with the French Social Security system.
- For France: No reimbursement will be made by Social Security. We encourage you to contact your private health insurance provider to find out the terms for potential coverage based on your invoice.
- For residents of Switzerland: You may submit our invoice to your supplemental or private health insurance provider, along with the prescription from your prescribing physician.